Growing Marigolds

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Marigolds

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No annual is more cheerful or easier to grow than marigolds. These flowers are the spendthrifts among annuals, bringing a wealth of gold, copper, and brass into our summer and autumn gardens. The flower’s popularity probably derives in part from its ability to bloom brightly all summer long.

Marigolds may have daisy-like or carnation-like flowerheads that are produced singly or in clusters. Although there are some 50 species, most marigolds we know come from just three:

Tagetes erecta are the tallest and most upright, at three to five feet. They are sometimes known as African, or American, marigolds. They thrive under hot, dry conditions.

Bushy T. patula, or French marigolds, are somewhat smaller and more compact. They are often wider than they are tall. Elegant and eye-catching, they have relatively demure flowers and usually grow from 6 inches to 2 feet tall.

The dainty T. tenuifolia are the signet, or rock-garden, marigolds that like hot, dry sites and make a wonderful edging. Their flowers are edible.

Marigolds have been stereotyped, but they offer tremendous variety. Both the African and French marigolds are generally aromatic, too.

French and signet types can be planted anytime through midsummer, but the tall American marigolds are best planted right away in the spring (after danger of frost is past) because they are slower to mature.

Planting

How to Plant Marigolds

Marigolds thrive in full sunshine and can often withstand very hot summers.

Though they grow in almost any soil, marigolds do best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by digging down about 6 inches to loosen it. Remove stones.

Optional: Add some slow-release (granular) fertilizer in the planting hole. A 5-10-5 works fine.

Sow seeds directly into the garden once the soil is warm in the spring. You can start seeds indoors but they germinate so easily outside that there’s really no advantage. Marigolds sprout within days in warm weather and plants bloom in about 8 weeks.

Moisten the soil, then sow seeds 1 inch apart and no more than 1 inch deep.

While still small, thin the seedlings. Space French and Signet types 8 to 10 inches apart. Larger American varieties should be at least 10 to 12 inches apart.

If planting transplants, thoroughly water each plant after planting in the garden.

If planting in containers, use a soil-based potting mix. Either mix in slow-acting granular fertilizer at planting time or plan to water with diluted liquid fertilizer periodically. Take care to space properly; marigolds grown in containers can become crowded.

Care

How to Grow Marigolds

Germination from large, easily handled seeds is rapid, and blooms should appear within a few weeks of sowing.

Once the marigolds have established themselves, pinch off the tops of the plants to encourage them to grow bushier. This will keep the plants from becoming leggy and will encourage more blooming.

Marigolds don’t require deadheading, but if dying blossoms are regularly removed, it will encourage the plant to continue blooming profusely.

When you water marigolds, allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings, then water well and repeat the process. Water more in high heat.

Do not water marigolds from overhead. Water at the base of the plant. (Excess water on leaves can lead to powdery mildew.)

Do not fertilize marigolds during growth. Too rich a diet stimulates lush foliage at the expense of flowers.

The densely double flowerheads of the African marigolds tend to rot in wet weather.

Add a layer of mulch between plants to suppress weeds and keep soil moist, especially when plants are young.

How to Deadhead Marigolds

Deadheading marigolds is very simple:

When a blossom starts to go bad, pinch (cut) its stem back to the nearest set of leaves.

This will encourage the plant to produce more blossoms, extending the flowering season.

Pests/Diseases

Farmers and gardeners have long known that marigolds make important companion plants all over the garden. The underground workings of the marigold will repel nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests for up to 3 years.

Marigolds have few pests or problems. Mites and aphids sometimes infest marigolds. Usually a spray of water or the application of an insecticidal soap, repeated every other day for a week or two, will solve the problem

Occasionally marigolds will get a fungal infection if conditions are too wet. To prevent fungal issues, avoid getting water on the marigolds’ leaves, keep weeds down, and plant in well-drained soil.

Harvest/Storage

In flower arrangements, strip off any leaves that might be under water in the vase; this will discourage the overly pungent odor.

Marigolds can be dried for long-lasting floral arrangements. Strip foliage from perfect blossoms and hang them upside down.

Recommended Varieties

Marigolds come in a range of colors—from creamy white to golden orange—and sizes. French marigold varieties tend to be smaller than American/African varieties.

Cooking Notes

The bright petals of signet marigolds add color and a spicy tang to salads and other summer dishes.

The flower petals are sometimes cooked with rice to impart the color (but, unfortunately, not the flavor) of saffron.

‘Mexican Mint’ (sometimes called Texas tarragon) is a sturdy little herb that can be substituted for French tarragon in cooking. This species has been long used in Latin America for tea as well as seasoning.

Spider Web Over goldenmary

I have a question. I have Goldenmary in my garden and they were beautiful but suddenly a few days back they are like dying covered by like spider web, I did like a rinse with water to see if it goes away and fed them with the plant food but it did not got any better. What would any of you recommend me to do. Any comment is appreciated. thank you so much

Marigold Question

Hi, so, I'm leaving marigolds in a dark room without any water or light for 5 days for a science experiment. Do you have any idea how well it will survive in comparison to a Dianthus Flower and a Pansy Flower. I've been having trouble finding background information to back up my hypothesis. Thanks
- Codey

marigolds in the dark

There seem to be mixed opinions about starting marigold seeds. Marigold seeds will germinate (sprout) in darkness once they sprout, they need light and will be ok in some darkness (nighttime). We have not developed a theory but these folks have and it might be of help (no mention of marigolds, btw): http://www.thompson-morgan.com/effect-of-light

Help Rodents!

I live in Santa Fe NM and rodents are eating and digging up my marigolds!! I've done everything I can think of, I've planted them in containers, in small cages, etc... do rodents eat them? Or is it squirrels? I'm at a loss because everything I plant gets eaten by some sort of animal out here. I want to make sure I'm going after the correct creature because what I am doing isn't helping. I'm trying veggies and the same thing is occurring. Help please

Help rodents!

For my vegetable garden I use moth balls to keep animals from eating my garden. I would try putting some moth balls amongst your Marigolds to see if that would help. it would be a cheap fix if it helps.

Covering the Plant

Hi, I just planted some marigolds today. You said that the plant should be covered with plastic wrap. My mom says that's going to kill the plant. Is that true. Could you please tell me what are the advantages of covering it with plastic wrap? Also, when I planted my marigolds, they were right next to each other. I know it's too close, but will it kill them plant?Thanks!

My Marygold,

Just wanted to ask you a question............ Why does my Marygold is growing straight up with out any buds on it , Last year it was so beautiful, Should I cut it down ?
Thanks for any information . Lois

marigold has no buds

If marigolds do not bloom but have lush foliage, the common reasons are 1) too much fertilizing. Stop feeding. 2) Not enough sunlight. Marigolds need FULL and direct sun, and/or 3) Very high summer heat (which wouldn’t be the case in March!).

Marigold and Zinnias Lush but no flowers!

We planted ours back in March, they are growing tall (in one big pot) but not a single flower. They get about 8 hours of direct sun, and daily watering. If they are overcrowded, would that affect the bloom?is it a lost cause at this point?

Best flowers for hot places

Too hot in this place Rajasthan , India. I also dont know its zone and i am really a beginner . I dont have those peat pots and fertilizers and pesticides too. Can you tell me a plant which can grow and make my 15 pot garden seem beautiful

I went crazy and planted tons

I went crazy and planted tons of marigolds, literally by the hand full. They were from the seeds I got from a friend's garden last year. I have been taking the marigolds off when they start looking droopy, but not always turning brown. Last night we had a freeze and so I went out today and took all the flowers off that had turned downwards. I'm worried that even if I let them dry out now, they won't be any good. If I keep only the seeds that are black and not dull white, will I have seeds that are good enough to plant next year?

I went crazy and planted tons!

I kept some seeds from my plants I had last year. I recently tried planting some and they are starting to grow. so if I were you I would try planting them. I am having a fun time experimenting with them. :)

Thanks for the great website.

b bom

Deadheading does indeed promote bushier growth; it also encourages blooming. You don’t need to restrict yourself to the center bud. Examine the plant and get rid of any flowers on the wane and edit a few unopened buds–this may seem counterintuitive, but it works! Regular deadheading ensures a longer blooming season. (Be sure you pluck spent flowers before they have time to go to seed.)

Marigolds

Unless of course you want plenty of free seeds for next year. In that case at the very end of your growing season , take the flower heads that have completely dried on the plant , remove them , grab what used to be the flower petals and pull them away from the dried husk . You should now have a hand full of seeds . Please note not all dried flower heads will produce seeds but a fair number will, you willl see the difference. Keep in a dry place till spring , drizzle on the ground where you want then , cover with a light coating of soil water , stand back and let Mother Nature do the rest.